Means for making paper box blanks in multiples



Sept. 16, 1958 w. J. BRADFORD, JR, ET AL 2,851,933

MEANS FOR MAKING PAPER BOX BLANKS IN MULTIPLES Filed March 17, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 en 'am/n 6. Jc/lrofenboer' Ely Sept. 16, 1958 w. J. BRADFORD, JR, ETAL 3 MEANS FOR MAKING PAPER BOX BLANKS IN MULTIPLES Filed March 17, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l M W a 1Z2 rzvE mi T5 United States Patent flice 2,851,933 Patented Sept. 16, 1958 MEANS FOR MAKING PAPER BOX BLANKS 1N MULTIPLES William J. Bradford, Jr., and Benjamin C. Schrotenboer, Holland, Micln, assignors to W. J. Bradford Paper Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 17, 1953, Serial No. 342,946

4 Claims. (Cl. 93-583) The present invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of paper box blanks and more particularly concerns the making of blanks for the tray or the cover portions of paper boxes of the type known as set-up boxes.

In the making of the blanks for set-up paper boxes, it has heretofore been customary .to stack the blanks of predetermined size and then cut-out or notch-out the corners of the stack of blanks to afiford end and side flaps or flanges that are subsequently bent up into the desired tray form and secured.

Insofar as we are advised, it has never heretofore been deemed feasible to produce the blanks continuously and complete as derived from a continuous web of paper.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide an improved method of and means for making paper box blanks in multiples complete and ready to be set up, as derived from a continuous web of appropriate grade paper stock.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the manufacture of set up paper box blanks in multiples continuously from a paper web, with all corners notched out and side flanges of the blanks properly scored when the blanks are severed from the Web.

vA further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for the continuous manufacture of set up box blanks. I

Yet another object of the invention is to provide novel means for the continuous production of set up box blanks.

It is still another object of the invention to provide novel means for simultaneously punching and scoring a paper web in the continuous production of box blanks therefrom.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a box blank making machine embodying features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional and elevational detail view taken substantially on the line IliI of Figure 1; i

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a box blank made according to the present invention and showing the same partially set up and partially in flat condition;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line V--V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line VI-VI of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail schematic view of a modification of punching and scoring mechamsm.

According to the method of the present invention, paper stock of suitable grade for a specified size and type of set up box tray or cover supplied in sheet form, and preferably from a stock roll in a continuous sheet, is successively and continuously punched and preliminarily scored, further scored and slit along predetermined lines, and finally severed into a plurality of completed scored and notched blanks. Inasmuch as one of the salient advantages of the present invention resides in the simultaneous multiple production of the box blanks, the width of the paper web chosen for any particular size of box blank to be made should be in a preferred multiple of the width of the blanks to be derived therefrom.

As the first step in forming the box blanks, the paper Web is punched out at appropriate spaced int rvals transversely thereto to provide corner notch-outs for adjacent blanks in the web and preferably as an incident to such notching out connecting scores are formed in the web, transversely aligned with the fore-and-aft edges defining the apertures punched in the notching out step of the process. Thus, in addition to the notching out of the corners of the blanks, the scoring of the end flanges of the blanks is effected on all contiguous blanks across the paper web.

Then, the severed blanks, considered transversely of the paper web, are separated one from the other and the side flanges scored. This completes the notching out and scoring of the blanks, and the final step remaining is to sever the longitudinally connected blanks one from the other. As a result, the conclusion of this continuous, progressive method of making the blanks, provides the blanks complete and ready to be set up, without any further or intervening handling or processing.

In an exemplary apparatus for practicing the present method, as depicted in Figure l, a paper web lit is fed longitudinally along a support such as a table 11. In its longitudinal advance, the web 10 is brought first to a combined punch-out and transverse scoring station 12 wherein a reciprocably mounted head 13 disposed transversely across the table 11 carries notch-out punches and scoring punch means operable in the timed reciprocable strokes of the head 13 to punch apertures 14 at intermediate points transversely aligned in the paper web, with notch-like apertures 14a at the side margins of the web, and connecting transversely aligned spaced rows of scoring 15. In the example shown, provisions have been made for producing three transversely aligned box blanks simultaneously from the web. Therefore the intermediate apertures 14 afford corner notch-outs at the four adjacent corners of four contiguous blanks at each stroke of the punching and scoring head 13. At the same time the side marginal notches or apertures 14a provide notchouts at the outside corners of the two longitudinally adjacent side marginal blanks derived from the web. The scorings 15 are aligned with the fore-and-aft edges defining the respective apertures 14 and 14a entirely across the web 10 and thus define the end flaps or flanges of the longitudinally adjacent blanks in each longitudinal row of the progressively formed blanks.

It should be understood, of course, that while in the preferred, economical and expeditious construction depicted herein the notch-out punching and transverse scoring is accomplished by means of the single reciprocal head 13, separate punching and scoring heads may be provided, if desired, successively operable, in the preferred sequence, longitudinally of the table 11 and of the web 10.

The longitudinal scoring and severing of the transversely aligned blanks is accomplished at a severing and scoring station 17 wherein severing and scoring means comprising respective scoring disks 13 and cutter disks 19, carried by a rotary, preferably driven shaft 20 are provided. The scoring disks 18 are respectively disposed to score the web along longitudinal lines aligned with the respective side edges defining the several notch-out apertures 14 and 14a. The cutter disks 19 are mounted on a 3 shaft to sever the web 10 along longitudinal lines longitudinally bisecting the apertures 14. Thereby, the paper web 10 is separated into longitudinal rows of end connected strips of blanks B separated along severance cuts 21 by the cutter blades 19. Side flaps or flanges 22 are provided on the blanks B bendable relative to the body portions of the blanks B along score lines 23 formed by the scoring disks 18.

Having reference to Figure 2, it will be observed that the scoring disks 18 may be provided with circular peripheral generally V-shaped scoring edges 24; The cutter disks or blades 19 may be provided with respective peripheral circular knife edges 25 cooperable with respective shearing edges 27 that may be provided by or on the underlying table 11. If preferred, of course, the cutting disks or knives may be carried on a separate shaft from the scoring disk. Moreover, if the width of the paper web 10 is in excess of the sum of the widths of the transversely aligned blanks B, but less than a width that will enable another blank to be derived therefrom, trimming blades may be added to the set of blades on the shaft 20, or separate trimming mechanism may be employed .in the apparatus for trimming off the excess web width.

For advancing the paper web 10 step by step progressively forwardly feed roll means 28 may be provided, only the upper of the feed rolls being shown in Figure 1, although it will be appreciated that ordinarily a cooperative pair of such rolls is provided. As shown, the feed rolls 28 means such as a cutter head 29 carrying a suitable cut 7 vided with opposite end flaps or flanges 30. As the blanks B are severed from their connection to the strips of blanks at the forward end of the web 10, the blanks are complete and ready for set up. Stacks of the blanks can therefore be taken directly to the set up tables or packaged for storage or shipment in the flat condition.

By way of demonstrating the manner in which the blanks B are adapted to be utilized, reference is made to Figure 3 wherein one of the blanks is depicted in partially set up condition. In this instance the blank B has been selected to provide a box bottom or tray. To this end, the side flanges 22 and the end flanges 30 are bent up along the respective score lines 23 and 15, respectively, into upstanding relation and the adjacent ends of the flanges come together right angularly, by virtue of the corner notch-outs in the blank. The flange ends are then secured together in a suitable manner, as for example by means of adhesively applied paper or other corner angle strips 31.

Having reference, now, to Figures 4, 5 and 6, there is shown in more detail a desirable construction of the punch and scoring mechanism at the notch-out and transverse scoring station 12. The head member 13 may comprise an elongated casting having longitudinally in the underside thereof a medial, preferably rectangular cross section downwardly opening groove or channel 32. At suitable intervals in such channel are mounted a series of preferably identical square end notch-out punches 33 which comprise blocks secured in place by means such as Parker head screws 34 threadedly attached into the upper end portions of the punch blocks and with the screw shanks extending down through a medial narrow clearance slot 35 longitudinally coinciding with the punch channel 32. The screw heads thrust against respective washers 37 shouldering against the bottom of an upwardly opening longitudinal channel 38 in the head 13 of somewhat greater width than the screw shank clearance slot 35 and coinciding in length. Through this arrangement, the punches 33 may be easily adjusted longitudinally of the head 13 for various notching out requirements and may be readily replaced by different size punches or may be removed for sharpening.

The punches 33 are of adequate length to project in service a sufficient distance below the lower face of the head 13 to cooperate with die blocks 39 mounted in a die bed 40 underlying the head 13 and forming a part of the table 11. The die blocks 39 have respective die apertures 41 conforming to the punches 33 and cooperative therewith to receive the slugs of the paper sheet struck out by the respective punches 33. Mounting of the die blocks 39 is effected within a longitudinal groove 42 provided in the bed member 40, extending transversely of the table 11 underneath the die head 13. Preferably the die blocks 39 are of generally dove tail side formation fitting into a corresponding dove tail side of the channel 42 and held therein by a gib 43 secured in wedging relation thereto at the opposite side of the channel 42 as by means of screws 44. An ejection slot 45 in the bottom of the channel 42 is provided to register with the die holes 41 for dropping out of the punch out slugs of paper.

Herein the parallel scorings 15 are made by scoring die plates or rules 47 which are cooperatively related to the punches 33 and are held in place in the head channel 32 by the punches. To this end, the scoring rules 47 are of a width to extend into shouldering engagement at their upper edges with the downwardly facing wall defining the channel or groove 32 and the lower edges of the rules 47 project substantially below the lower face of the head 13 and are provided with respective scoring edges 48. For locking the rules 47 in place they are provided with respective opposite end locking ear extensions 49 (Figures 5 and 6) which are disposed on the upper portions of the rules and are engaged by upwardly directed respective interlock shoulders 50 at the respective opposite sides of the punch blocks 33 provided by rabbet recessing the upper side portions of the die blocks. Hence, by interengaging the locking ears 49 of the rules with the respective shoulders 50 of the die blocks before the die blocks are drawn up by the screws 34, effective locking of the rules in place is effected as the die blocks are tightened. Thereby also the rules are held in vertical parallel planes between the die block and the side walls defining the head groove 32. The construction and relationship of the scoring rules 47 to the punch blocks 33 is such that the scoring edges 48 of the rules are in parallel alignment with the parallel fore-and-aft sides, respectively, of the lower shearing edges of the punches. In the operation of the punch and scoring head 13, the downstroke is regulated to carry the punches 33 into the die openings 41 a limited distance until the scoring edges 48 have penetrated a predetermined distance partially through the thickness of the paper sheet 10.

Firm back up for the paper sheet 10 under the scoring rules 47 is afforded by the die blocks 39 adjacent to the punches 33, and between the die blocks by filler and back up blocks 51 having their upper surfaces in a plane with the upper surfaces of the die blocks 39, and also held in the upwardly opening groove 42 by the gib 43. The apparatus is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 at the completion of a punch and scoring stroke, and it will be understood that in the reverse reciprocal movement of the die head the punches 33 are elevated into clearance relation to the paper sheet 10 so that the sheet can be advanced by the feed mechanism.

In the operation of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1, the punching and scoring head 13 and the cut off blade member 29 are, of course, coordinated so that the finished blanks are cut off at the end of the web or sheet 10 while a new increment of the sheet or web is punched and scored transversely.

Where, instead of the step by step progression, requiring a pause of the paper sheet or web at each punching and scoring stroke of the head 13, it is desired to provide a continuous, uninterrupted progressive formation of the paper blanks on a cylinder machine, the expedient schematically illustrated in the modification of Figure 7 may be utilized. To this end a punch and scoring die carrying roll 52 cooperates with a hollow cylindrical roll 53, the rolls being continuously driven to advance the paper web 10 without interruption. In this assembly the notch-out apertures are formed by respective punches 54 carried by the roll 52 and cooperating with matching and registering die holes 55 in the hollow roll 53. Simultaneously with the punching transverse scores are made in the web by scoring dies or rules or edges 57 carried by the roll 52 cooperatively related to the fore-and-aft sides of the punches 54. The remainder of the machine may operate along the lines of the machine assembly described in Figure 1 with such modifications as may be desirable in view of the continuous movement of the paper web. For example the cut oif member may be a rotary cut oil blade coordinated in operation with the punching and scoring rolls.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. An apparatus for making set up box blanks, comprising a punch head adapted to overlie transversely a paper sheet to be punched, said head having a longitudinal downwardly opening groove, a transverse spaced series of punches secured in said groove, and scoring rules secured in said groove in alignment with said punches.

2. An apparatus for making set up box blanks, comprising a punch head adapted to overlie transversely a paper sheet to be punched, said head having a longitudinal downwardly opening groove, a transverse spaced series of punches secured in said groove, and scoring rules secured in said groove in alignment with said punches, said punches and scoring rules having interlocking portions thereon.

3. An apparatus for making set up box blanks, comprising a punch head member adapted to overlie transversely a paper sheet to be punched, said head having a longitudinal downwardly opening groove, a transverse spaced series of punches secured in said groove, and scoring rules secured in said groove in alignment with said punches said punches having shoulders thereon and said scoring rules having locking ears thereon engaged by the shoulders of the punches and thereby locking the rules in the groove.

4. In a punch and scoring head for simultaneously punching a plurality of notch-out apertures in a transverse web and scoring the web transversely in alignment with the punches, a head block having a longitudinal downwardly opening groove therein, said groove having parallel vertical longitudinal walls, a plurality of scoring rules having downwardly projecting scoring edges and engaging fiatwise against said walls with the edges projecting below the head block and with the upper edges of the'scoring rules shouldering against the upper wall defining said groove, and a series of punches secured in said groove and securing said scoring rules in said groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 297,576 Dickerman Apr. 29, 1884 972,300 Vavra Oct. 11, 1910 1,189,945 Hawkins July 4, 1916 1,255,810 Taylor Feb. 5, 1918 1,342,239 Walter June 1, 1920 2,188,916 Murch Feb. 6, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 564,173 Germany Oct. 27, 1932 587,129 Great Britain Apr. 15, 1947 

